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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Mothers Day is on its way and the girls have been excited about growing their gardens. We have been working on colours this week as well so I thought this would be a fun craft the girls would enjoy and the grandmothers would love!

We did the above prints on paper to see if we liked them enough to really make them as gifts, they had me hang them in our playroom they like them so much. Tomorrow we'll be doing this print onto canvas bags to give as gifts. It also ties in with our playgroups Green Team theme of giving eco friendly gifts. We'll make one for this mommy as well so I can show off my kids prints at the grocery store too!

These are super easy to do, I was even able to get both of my 3 year olds hands and feet onto the SAME piece of paper! Granted it was a large piece of construction paper, but they fit none the less. I had to settle for a new piece of paper to get my 11month olds flowers done but that eased my fears of her turning her flowers into a finger painting project which would "ruin" the twins prints.

Step 1: Choose your colors for the flowers, my girls actually chose different colors! I thought we'd have our usual purple and pink but they surprised me and I think they turned out great! Place your hand and foot prints as shown. I use regular baby wipes to clean off the paint but a wash rag would be far more economical.

Step 2: Draw in your stems. I used a regular foam paint brush. I buy mine at Michaels but have seen them at Target and Walmart. Make sure to wash these out ASAP, even just soaking them will make them last longer. They may be cheap to buy but having to run to the store just to buy paint brushes is rarely in my plans for the day!

11month old's project

Step 3: Paint on leaves and add the name and date to either a stem or on an empty part of the paper.

Since we are doing colours this week we discussed the Spanish words for each colour as well as the ASL sign for them as well:

Yellow - amarilloASL The sign for "yellow" is made by forming the letter "y" with your right hand. Shake your hand from the wrist, and move it to the right.

Green - verdeThe sign for "green" is made by forming the letter "g" with your right hand. Shake your hand from the wrist, and move it to the right.

Blue - azulThe sign for "blue" is made by forming the letter "b" with your right hand. Twist/shake your hand from the elbow (the wrist doesn't bend on this sign).

Purple - moradoShake a "P" twice. Use a movement that pivots from the elbow.

Red - rojoThe sign for "red" is made by stroking your lips one time with the tip of your index finger.

Flowers - moradoTouch a "squished O-hand" to your cheek on one side of your nose and then the other.Mom - mamáMake the sign for "Mother" by placing the thumb of your right hand against your chin. Your hand should be open.

Grandma - la abuelaThe sign for "grandmother" is made by touching your chin with the thumb of your dominant hand, as when signing "mother." The dominant hand should be open. Move your hand forward in two small arches. Note: Many people just move the hand forward without the arches.

Family - la familiaFAMILY: The hands trace the shape of a circle. As if representing a family sitting around a dinner table.

Love - el amorThe sign for "love" is made by crossing both hands over your heart. (Middle of your chest.) Your hands may be closed or open, but the palm side should face toward you.

Remember to sign the colours as your talking to your kids as you point them out on scavenger hunts, walks, field trips, or while playing. The more you use the Spanish words and/or signs, the quicker they'll catch on and remember them! My twins are 3 now and are trying to teach their little sisters signs all day long, its so fun to see them teaching.